Systems for collecting user rating information for golf courses and methods for providing information about golf courses

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, devices and computing system applications for collecting information about golf courses as provided by users of the golf courses. Embodiments include a mobile application providing a questionnaire about one or more golf course characteristics. A golfer may provide responses which are sent to reporting service. The reporting service can aggregate responses and report results to the golf course.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/539,922, filed on Sep. 27, 2011, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Summary

The present disclosure relates generally to recreational sports, andmore particularly to the sport of golf. In particular, aspects of thepresent disclosure relate to systems for collecting information aboutgolf courses as provided by users of the golf courses. Additional oralternative aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods forproviding information about golf courses.

2. Background

Worldwide, the popularity of golf continues to increase at a nearunprecedented rate. For instance, within the United States alone thereare more than 18,000 golf courses and more than 25 million recreationalgolfers. With average greens fees of more than $20, the gross revenue inthe golf industry due solely to greens fees (assuming each golfer playseven only one round of golf a year) thus topples $540 million. Inreality, however, the golf industry is a multi-billion dollar industrythat includes revenues generated from not only greens fees, but alsofrom sales or rentals of equipment, golf carts, clothing, food andbeverage sales, and the like. Services such as lessons or training, andfacility rentals further add to the revenue generated by the golfindustry.

The amount each course contributes to the gross revenue of the industryvaries based on a variety of factors. One such factor is coursepopularity, although numerous other factors, including cost, whether itis private or public, and the like, are also significant.

Course popularity often relates to the cost of the course, but may alsorelate to other factors. For instance, the quality of the course andpersonnel can significantly affect whether golfers return to a course,whether they recommend to others that they play the course, etc.Capturing such information about a course is often difficult. As aresult, a golf course may notice a decline in the course's popularity orrevenues, but may have difficultly pinpointing the cause. While thecause could be a simple result of an economic recession, aging or movingpopulation, or the like, the cause may also be under the direct controlof the golf course. For instance, golfers perceiving a decline in thecondition of the course, services of the course, quality of the staff,etc. may stop visiting a course. Alternatively, even if such elements donot decline or even improve, popularity may decrease if such quality islower than that of a nearby course—particularly one at a comparablecost.

Regardless of the reason for the decline or difficulty in attractinggolfers, the golf course management may nonetheless still be in the darkabout what factors are contributing to the lack of popularity orrevenue. The course management may contact golfers and use a survey toidentify perceived shortcomings or explanations; however, such surveymay be expensive and time consuming. Also, if golfers respond to thesurvey after not having played the course for some time, they may notprovide up-to-date information about course conditions, or may lack anaccurate memory of the course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example splash page for a website according to thesystems and methods described, illustrated, or otherwise reflectedherein.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate example main pages for a website according to thesystems and methods described, illustrated, or otherwise reflectedherein.

FIGS. 3A-3J illustrate example web pages listing golf courses havingratings maintained or otherwise accessible by the systems and methodsdescribed, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate example web pages listing tips or articlesrelated to golf or golf courses, according to the systems and methodsdescribed, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example web page for contacting an owner, operatoror other entity maintaining a website according to the systems andmethods described, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example web page with information about contests,raffles, lotteries, giveaways, or other promotions available through awebsite according to the systems and methods described, illustrated, orotherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example web page with frequently asked questionsabout a website according to the systems and methods described,illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example web page for signing in to a personalaccount, or creating a personal account for accessing a websiteaccording to the systems and methods described, illustrated, orotherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example web page for signing up for a personalaccount for accessing a website according to the systems and methodsdescribed, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example web page for accessing and/or updatingpersonal account information after a user has signed up for an accountto access a website according to the systems and methods described,illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example web page for updating personalinformation according to the systems and methods described, illustrated,or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example web page for updating passwordinformation according to the systems and methods described, illustrated,or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example web page for updating subscriptions ornotifications according to the systems and methods described,illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example web page following logging out of anaccount according to the systems and methods described, illustrated, orotherwise reflected herein.

FIGS. 15A-15I illustrate example web pages including golf courseinformation according to the systems and methods described, illustrated,or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example web page usable by a golfer to provide areview or feedback about a golf course according to the systems andmethods described, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate example web pages usable by a golfer orcourse manager to claim ownership or management of a golf course withinformation available using a website according to the systems andmethods described, illustrated, or otherwise reflected herein.

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a computing system for operating awebsite according to the systems and methods described, illustrated, orotherwise reflected herein.

An APPENDIX is attached and includes Figures A-E illustrating exampleinterfaces for a smartphone application that may be used in connectionwith the systems and methods described, illustrated, or otherwisereflected herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The provided Figures illustrate various aspects of a system according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1, for instance, may reflecta splash page generally providing information about an Internet or othercomputing network enabled system for rating golf courses. As reflectedin FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present disclosure may include allowinggolfers or users of golf courses to rate golf courses. For instance, oneor more golf courses in a particular area (e.g., community, state,province, country, federation, continent, etc.) may be identified, andpossibly all courses in such area may be identified.

Using a convenient, efficient, intuitive, and/or easily accessibleinterface (e.g., on a computer, smart phone, etc.), the user may providea review of one or more aspects of a course. Reviews of the courses maybe collected and accessible through a centralized source so as toprovide a single-stop where a golfer can get information about a course,identify the cost of the course, determine how well other golfers haverated the course, etc. Information that is rated may include one or morephysical or playability conditions, service levels, amenities, or otherfactors, or any combination of the foregoing.

Access to the site may be free to the golfers. Any golfer may thusaccess the system (possibly with personal login information) to providetheir unbiased review of a course. The golfer may also be incentivizedto provide reviews. For instance, giveaways, contests, etc. may occurand registered or active users may be entered to win prizes.Instructional information may also be provided to allow golfers toenhance their skills Golfers may also chat with other golfers,professional players, coaches, etc.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate example views of an index or main page of a webinterface for a system according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, a user may login to apersonal account. Additionally, or alternatively, a user may select acourse to view or review, either by clicking on a map, selecting thecourse using known course information, searching for the course, or inanother manner. Highest rated, most recently rated, or other courses mayalso be displayed. In one embodiment displayed courses may be based onthe geographic location of a user, such as by using a geographic regionbased on an IP address, the user's account information, or otheravailable data.

One option on the page illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E is to access the top“X” number of rated courses. In the illustrated embodiment, “X” is 100although “X” may be any other number. The top courses may reflected orfiltered in any number of manners. For instance, there may be no filterso that the top courses anywhere on the system may be identified. Othercases may include filters by geographic location, accessibility (public,private, handicap access, etc.), number of holes (9, 18, 27. 36, etc.),and the like.

FIGS. 3A-3J illustrate examples of a web page interface that displayssummaries of the top 100 courses upon the user's request, such as byclicking of the appropriate link. The course summaries may include anynumber of different types of information. For instance, the informationmay include the name, address and/or phone number of a course.Additional information optionally includes the number of holes, theprivate/public/semi-private or other status of the course, or stillother information. In another embodiment, optional information includesreview information of the course. Such review information may includethe number of reviews and/or an indication of how well the course israted. The course rating may be based on multiple ratings. In oneaspect, the course rating may be an average (e.g., straight or weighted)of all reviews of a course. The review may be a single review or may bebroken into multiple reviews for different aspects. If an overallreview, the overall review itself may also be influenced by reviews ofother aspects, whether or not such aspects are listed on the coursesummary.

Another option on the page illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E is to access golftips and articles. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate example web page interfaceswith golf tips and/or articles. In the illustrated Figures, forinstance, a news article is displayed and relates to a recentprofessional tournament. Other articles or information may includevideos, instructional information, and the like. In one aspect, recentnews, items, posts, and the like may be accessed in full or summaryform. Archived information may also be displayed. In still another,information may be displayed according to category. For instance,categories may include: instructional information, news information,tournament information, new course information, or other information, orany combination of the foregoing.

Other options on the page illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E are to contact theoperator of the web interface, to obtain information about upcoming orpast contests, or to review answers to frequently asked questions.Example interfaces for the same are illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. In anyinterface described herein, references to other interfaces and pages mayalso be provided.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, agolfer or other user may use a golf course review system by maintaininga personal account with the system. FIG. 8 illustrates a page by which auser may sign in using an email address and password, although otherlogin credentials may also be used. If a user does not have a login, theuser may create a new login. An example process to create a new login isillustrated in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a user may enter variousmandatory and/or optional user information that may be stored by thesystem (e.g., in a database) and entered by the user for subsequentaccess.

Account information may also be accessible and/or changeable at anytime. In FIGS. 2A-2E, for instance, a link (“My Account”) is provided toaccess account information. When such link is used, the user can bedirected to an interface, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 10.Such interface may include various options. For instance, a user maychoose to view or change account information (see FIG. 11), change anaccount password (see FIG. 12), subscribe or unsubscribe fromnewsletters (see FIG. 13), log out of the system (see FIG. 14), or view,enter, or update other information. In FIG. 10, the user has indicated aparticular course is being managed by the user, and such information mayalso be displayed or changed.

As will be appreciated in view of the disclosure herein, a user maysearch for or otherwise identify a course using any number ofmechanisms. Once a course has been located, a more detailed view of thecourse may be obtained. Examples of some detailed views are illustratedin FIGS. 15A-15I. The detailed views may include information about thecourse. Such information may include any information such as location,facilities, historical, topographical, scorecard, slope/rating, design,access, policy, dress, cost, weather, or other information, or anycombination of the foregoing.

A detailed view of the course may also include review information.Optionally, the review information comes directly from other golfers,although information may also be obtained or available fromprofessionals or other people or entities. In one embodiment, the reviewinformation may be provided in a summary view, although more detailedviews may also be available. For instance, detailed information mayinclude specific reviews provided by users, reviews of different aspectsof a course in addition to, or as an alternative to, an overall courserating, and the like. In some cases, the user may see ratings for all ofthe specific factors, although in other embodiments all or certain usersare limited to general or overall ratings.

Course information may also include an option to review the course. Whenthe option is selected, the user may be given an opportunity to answerone or more questions or provide one or more reviews of the course. Anexample review interface is illustrated in FIG. 16. In such a review,information may be detailed in accordance with various differentaspects. The illustrated embodiment allows a review to provideindependent reviews of tee boxes, greens, fairways, bunkers, service,aesthetics, staff, GPS systems, Pro Shops, and speed of play. Any numberof other criteria may also be rated. For instance, the facilities (e.g.,club house or reception areas), snack bars, rentals, club professionals,driving range, practice greens, and other aspects, or any number ofother areas, may also be rated.

In one embodiment, a single page provides a full listing of review areasthat may be clicked or otherwise selected to provide a simple, quick andintuitive ranking system. In the illustrated embodiment, criteria may beranked to have a value between 0 and 5 check boxes. Check boxes may beselected based on any desired granularity. In FIG. 16, for instance, thegranularity allows for half boxes to be selected. In other embodiments,granularity may include only whole boxes, or may include otherincrements (e.g., tenths). In one embodiment, ratings may be based onnumerical values provided in a text box. As also illustrated in FIG. 16,a user may be given the option to input additional details to describethe experience at the course, review the course, etc.

The various elements of a review may be accumulated to provide anoverall review/score to the course. Each element may be weightedequally, or there may be a distributed weighting. By way ofillustration, the playable conditions (e.g., greens, tees, fairways,bunkers, rough, etc.) optionally—but not necessarily—have a higherweight than other element such as the GPS system. In some cases, anoverall rating may be specified by the user, and an algorithm toaccumulate the various factors is optional.

As noted previously, a registered user may also claim a course. Such aperson may claim to be the owner, operator, or administrator of thecourse. In some cases, by claiming the course, the user may be given theability to change or add information about the course, respond tocomments/reviews, or the like. FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate example webpage interfaces that may be provided for claiming a course. To claim acourse, a user may select an appropriate link, such as the “Claim thiscourse” link illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15I.

In one embodiment, a person claiming a course may be given additionaloptions through the systems and methods described herein. For instance,a course may enable tee-time reservations through the system. The courseoperator may also have access to different reporting options. As oneexample, a course operator may receive periodic or requested courseanalysis information. In one example, a course may be compared withthree (or any other number) comparable courses in the same geographicarea. Such courses may be automatically determined by the system, or maybe pre-selected by the operator of the course receiving information. Theanalysis may provide the operator with information directly from golfersso that the operator can see how the course stacks up. The analysis mayinclude a breakdown in various areas, which may generally correspond tothe specific areas that the user rates in a review (see FIG. 16). As anexample, if the course's popularity has gone down and the analysisindicates the staff is much lower rated than other courses, the operatormay work to improve staff interactions. Over time, the analyses may becompared so as to identify trends. For instance, if over one quarter thestaff rating is high, but it gradually drops off over the second andthird quarters, the reason for the drop-off can be investigated andcorrected. Such information may also include rankings so as to identifyhow competitive a course is within a market, area, region, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 18, an example computing system is schematicallyillustrated. The example computing system may be used to provide acomprehensive or limited functionality course review system. Variouscomponents are illustrative only, and thus not all components need beincluded. Indeed, unless specifically identified as essential, any orall components are optional.

The illustrated embodiment includes a processor and computer-readablemedia. In general, a system in accordance with the present disclosuremay include such a processor that executes computer-executableinstructions. Optionally, such instructions are stored oncomputer-readable media. Such media may be included as part of thesystem, distributed from the system, or otherwise made accessible to theprocessor.

Other components may include articles. Articles may generally representinformation (e.g., training, news, etc.) provided in text, image, video,or other form. Example articles may include golf instructions fromcelebrities (e.g., professional instructors, tour players, etc.),industry newsletters, professional blots, forums, trend information,etc.). An analysis engine may also be included. The analysis engine maybe responsible for analyzing reviews provided by users and/oraccumulating reviews or other information. For instance, the analysisengine may aggregate reviews or partial reviews into an overall reviewfor a course or a particular aspect of a course, may compare reviewswith those of other courses, prepare market analyses based on reviews,and the like.

A course review interface may also be included. In one embodiment, thecourse review interface allows golfers to provide input about one ormore aspects of a course, and thereby rate or otherwise comment aboutthe course. The course review interface may also provide access toreview (whether in whole, in part, or in summarized form). As a result,a golfer may research a potential course using the available reviewsfrom other golfers.

A user interface and/or web portal may also be provided. In oneembodiment, various web pages or interfaces may be set-up to accessother engines, interfaces, or systems herein. For instance, the userinterface may provide a graphical interface to allow a user to interactwith the course review interface, articles, etc.

Optionally, a marketing system is also included. In one embodiment, amarketing system may provide advertising. In an embodiment in which thesystem is free to golfers to use, the marketing system may provide anadvertising revenue stream to make the web site profitable. In the sameor another embodiment, the marketing system may also obtain revenue fromcourses. For instance, the analysis engine may output information thatis marketed to golf courses. Such information may include comparisons ofgolf course aspects, details about golfers playing at courses, etc.

A reservation system may also be included and used to interface with thesystem. The reservation system may be linked to individual courses sothat a tee time reservation can be made, cancelled, or changed for adesired course.

Course information may also be stored and provided in the system. In oneembodiment, course information is provided as data and includesinformation such as historical, geographical, rating, or otherinformation about a course. In the same or other embodiments, courseinformation may also be provided on a comparison basis, such as byincluding side-by-side course reviews, real time course updates, etc.

The system may also include a smartphone application, and/or interfacesfor smartphone applications to interface with the system. For instance,a smartphone may have a specific application produced for the system, bywhich the user can rate a course. The application may thus provide theconvenience of rating the course while at the course, or soonthereafter, so that the details of the course may be fresh in thegolfer's mind. When submitted (e.g., to the course review interface, webportal, or course review interface), such information can be aggregatedwith other reviews provided by smartphone users or other users, andthereby made accessible.

A user profile system may also be included in the overall systemillustrated in FIG. 18. The user profile system may include detailsabout a user, such as the user's age, handicap, address or otherlocation information, name, etc. Other information may include theuser's login credentials. Any other types of information about theuser—such as user preferences, hobbies, etc.—may also be included,requested, or stored.

The system of FIG. 18 also includes an optional handicapping system. Ingolf, a golfer may obtain a “handicap” based on his or her level of playrelative to the slope and rating of courses played. In one embodiment,information about courses may include such slope and rating information.A user may then enter a score from a round of golf. A history of scoresmay be maintained by the handicapping system and an official orunofficial handicap may be generated. In one embodiment, thehandicapping system may link to official handicapping services orentities (e.g., the USGA) to provide a handicap.

A store module may also be included the system. In one embodiment,clothing, equipment, rounds of golf, or other items may be purchased andavailable through the store. In such an embodiment, the store may alsoinclude an e-commerce module to process payments in a secure manner. Instill another embodiment, any or all components of the system of FIG. 18may be based upon or utilize an e-commerce system , which optionallyprovides the back-end support services for operation of the system.

As also shown in FIG. 18, the computing system may include acommunication interface and a database. The communication interface maygenerally allow any one or more components, interfaces, systems,modules, and the like to communicate with each other. The database mayalso store information for or on behalf of various components. As anexample, the database may store user profile information, courseinformation, articles, ratings information, course scoring/handicappinginformation, and the like, and make such information available to theassociated components. The database may store information tracked on thesystem, including Internet-based data such as where visitors are comingto a website from, duration of a visit, IP address, repeat visitorinformation, etc. The communications interface may also thus facilitateuse of the illustrating computing system in a networked, distributed, orother manner.

The attached appendix includes Figures A-E representing views of anexample smartphone application that may be used in connection withsystems and methods of the present disclosure. For instance, such anapplication may be used to find golf courses, compare golf courses,access details (e.g., physical, historical, etc.) about a golf course,provide input for rating or reviewing a course, and the like. Inparticular, Figure A depicts an example smart phone applicationinterface for finding a course. In the illustrated embodiment, variouscourses are displayed along with distance information relative to aspecified location, which is in this case Las Vegas. Also displayed isinformation about the rating of the course as provided by other golfers,and the number of reviews for the course. By selecting the course, theuser may also be able to access additional information, as illustratedin Figure B. If the user selects the rating or reviews, the user mayoptionally view the specific reviews of the course. By selecting theexample “review this course” button, a user may access a review page,which optionally is similar that illustrated in FIG. 16, although thesmartphone application may include a separate or distinct interface.

Figures C and D illustrate still additional views of the examplesmartphone application. In Figure C, a user may enter information abouta course (e.g., city, state, name, etc.), and the application candisplay various courses matching the specified criteria. Figure Dillustrates a page displaying courses recently reviewed. In any suchinterface, a user may select a displayed course to obtain additionalinformation. Figure E illustrates still another smartphone applicationinterface for managing the user's account. A user may access or editaccount details using the My Account button, contact the developer,provider, or operator of a service using the Contact Us button, orfollow social media sites using the appropriate buttons.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise or utilize a specialpurpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, suchas, for example, one or more processors and system memory or othersystem computer-readable media. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure also include physical and other computer-readablemedia for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/ordata structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available mediathat can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computersystem. Computer-readable media that store computer-executableinstructions are physical storage media. Computer-readable media thatcarry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, byway of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the disclosure cancomprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readablemedia, including at least computer storage media and/or transmissionmedia.

Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other non-transmission medium which can be usedto store desired program code means in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer.

A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable thetransport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules,engines, and/or other electronic devices. When information istransferred or provided over a network or another communicationsconnection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired orwireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as atransmission medium. Transmissions media can include a network and/ordata links, carrier waves, wireless signals, and the like, which can beused to carry desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinationsof physical storage media and transmission media should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structurescan be transferred automatically from transmission media to computerstorage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executableinstructions or data structures received over a network or data link canbe buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”),and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to lessvolatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should beunderstood that computer storage media can be included in computersystem components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmissionmedia.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. The computerexecutable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediateformat instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims and in thisdisclosure is not necessarily limited to the described features or actsdescribed above, nor performance of the described acts or steps by thecomponents described above. Rather, the described features and acts aredisclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers,laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones,smartphones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. Embodimentsmay also be practiced in distributed system environments where local andremote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired datalinks, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired andwireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be practiced in special-purpose or othercomputing devices integrated within or coupled to a golf course ratingsystem or interface, whether by a network connection, wirelessconnection, or hardwire connection. Exemplary golf course rating systemsmay include one or more machines that receive or display course ratinginformation, including optional rating information obtained directlyfrom amateur golfers of the courses as opposed to, or in addition to,golf professionals.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, certain changes and modifications will be obvious tothose with skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. Thus, all changes which come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embracedwithin their scope.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for rating golf courses, comprising: providing a golf course rating and review interface for use with a computing device of a golfer, the golf course rating and review interface including at least a review component and a rating component; receiving selection of at least one golf course, wherein receiving selection of the at least one golf course is in response to the golfer selecting the at least one golf course through the golf course rating and review interface; providing to the computing device of the golfer, through review component of the golf course rating and review interface, at least an overall rating of the selected at least one golf course, that overall rating being based on reviews from other golfers; and providing to the computing device of the golfer, through the rating component of the golf course rating and review interface, one or more input options requesting rating information for one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics.
 13. The method recited in claim 12, wherein providing a golf course rating and review interface includes providing a golf course rating and review interface configured for use specifically with a mobile computing device.
 14. The method recited in claim 12, wherein receiving selection of at least one golf course includes receiving selection of the at least one golf course in response to the golfer selecting the at least one golf course through the golf course rating and review interface available on a smart phone.
 15. The method recited in claim 12, wherein providing the one or more input options includes providing one or more input options associated with: greens; fairways; tees; bunkers; service; aesthetics; staff; GPS; pro shops; speed of play; difficulty; facilities; food; practice facilities; or lessons.
 16. The method recited in claim 15, wherein providing the one or more input options includes providing four or more input options, each of the four or more input options being associated with a separate one of: greens; fairways; tees; bunkers; service; aesthetics; staff; GPS; pro shops; speed of play; difficulty; facilities; food; practice facilities; or lessons.
 17. The method recited in claim 12, further comprising: receiving rating information about the one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics in response to input by the golfer using the rating component of the golf course rating and review interface.
 18. The method recited in claim 17, further comprising: aggregating received rating information about the one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics with rating information received from one or more additional golfers.
 19. A golf course rating system, comprising: computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to display a course rating and review interface to a golfer, the course review interface including: a review component providing at least an overall rating of a particular golf course based on reviews from other golfers; and a rating component providing the golfer with an interface to rate the particular golf course in accordance with one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics.
 20. The golf course rating system of claim 20, wherein the course rating and review interface is configured for display on a mobile computing device.
 21. The golf course rating system of claim 20, wherein the mobile computing device is a smart phone.
 22. The golf course rating system of claim 19, wherein the computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to: transmit rating information received through the rating component to an aggregator of rating information.
 23. The golf course rating system of claim 19, wherein the one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics include any combination of one or more of: greens; fairways; tees; bunkers; service; aesthetics; staff; GPS; pro shops; speed of play; difficulty; facilities; food; practice facilities; or lessons.
 24. The golf course rating system of claim 19, further comprising: the one or more processors.
 25. A method for providing golf course rating information to a golf course, comprising: maintaining a golf course rating system adapted to receive ratings of one or more golf courses from amateur golfers using the one or more golf courses; aggregating ratings related to the one or more golf courses as received from a plurality of amateur golfers; and providing to a particular golf course of the one or more golf course an analysis of the particular golf course relative to other of the one or more golf courses, the analysis being based on the ratings for the one or more golf courses received through the golf course rating system.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: charging a fee for provision of the analysis of the particular golf course.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein providing to the particular golf course of the one or more golf courses an analysis of the particular golf course includes providing multiple analyses on a periodic basis or upon-request basis.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the analysis includes rating information relative to the other of the one or more golf courses, for each of one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics include one or more of: greens; fairways; tees; bunkers; service; aesthetics; staff; GPS; pro shops; speed of play; difficulty; facilities; food; practice facilities; or lessons.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the one or more distinguishable golf course characteristics include at least four of: greens; fairways; tees; bunkers; service; aesthetics; staff; GPS; pro shops; speed of play; difficulty; facilities; food; practice facilities; or lessons.
 31. The method of claim 25, wherein maintaining the golf course rating system includes: providing a mobile application available to mobile computing devices, the mobile application including an interface for receive ratings of the particular golf course from amateur golfers, and sending the received ratings to a remote server via a communication network connected to the mobile device. 